Pyrford Church of England Primary Academy Trust GOVERNORS ALLOWANCES POLICY. Approval Date: 16 September 2015 Review Date: Autumn 2018

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1 Pyrford Church of England Primary Academy Trust GOVERNORS ALLOWANCES POLICY Approval Date: 16 September 2015 Review Date: Autumn 2018 With reference to the following: Education (Governors Allowances) Regulations 2003

2 Pyrford Church of England Primary School Academy Trust Summary Statement of Intent The Academy Trust was incorporated in November Academy Members and Trust Directors acknowledge that Academy trusts are companies limited by guarantee and exempt charities. The Members and Trust Directors are subject to the duties and responsibilities of charity trustees and company directors, as well as any other conditions that are agreed with the Secretary of State. Members and Trust Directors recognise that these responsibilities are mutually reinforcing, to ensure the proper governance and conduct of the trust. The key requirements are reflected in the Trust Articles of Association, the DFE funding agreement and the guidance of the Academies Financial Handbook. Members and Trust Directors accept the Charity Commissioners guidance as to their statutory duties as company directors, which are set out in the Companies Act Members and the Trust Directors will incorporate the seven principles of public life in their decision making and demonstrate the proper stewardship of public funds for ensuring economy, efficiency and effectiveness in their use - the three key elements of value for money. The Trust Directors are responsible for the strategic management of the school. This includes the Christian ethos of the school; its strategic vision and direction; annual budgets; senior staff appointments; and policy changes. Operational management is the responsibility of the headteacher and staff. It is carried out at a number of levels: i.e. Senior Leadership team, the Inclusion Manager and middle leaders. The roles and responsibilities of the Trust Directors have been delegated to two committees: Efficiency, covering Finance, Personnel, Premises and Health and Safety; and Effectiveness, covering Standards and Curriculum, Safeguarding, Ethos and Admissions. School policies are developed by senior members of staff, to reflect both the strategic direction agreed by Trust Directors and also the statutory and recommended policies appropriate to the school. After appropriate scrutiny and challenge, these policies are approved and adopted by the Trust Directors, and implemented as procedures and systems by the Senior Leadership Team and other designated members of staff. These policies are available on the website and at the school.

3 The Education (Governors Allowances) Regulations 2003 give Governing Bodies the discretion to pay allowances from the school s annual budget allocation to governors for certain allowances which they incur in carrying out their duties. Pyrford Church of England Academy s Governing Body believes that paying governor allowances, in specific categories as set out below, is important in ensuring equality of opportunity to serve as governors for all members of the community and so is an appropriate use of school funds. The specific items allowable reflect this objective. All Governors of Pyrford Church of England Primary School will be entitled to claim the actual costs, which they incur as follows: 1. Governors will be able to claim allowances providing the allowances are incurred in carrying out their duties, as a Governor or representative of Pyrford Church of England Primary School, and that the Efficiency Committee agree that they are justified before any reimbursable costs are incurred. 2. Governors will be able to claim for the following on a case-by-case basis and with the prior approval of the Governing Body: Childcare or babysitting allowances (excluding payments to a current/former spouse or partner); Cost of care arrangements for an elderly or dependent relative (excluding payments to a current/former spouse or partner); The extra costs they incur in performing their duties either because they have special needs or because English is not their first language; The cost of travel relating only to travel to meetings/training courses at a rate of 45 pence per mile which does not exceed the specified rates for school personnel; Travel and subsistence costs, payable at the current rates specified by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, associated with attending national meetings or training events, unless these costs can be claimed from the LA or any other source; Verifiable telephone charges, photocopying, stationery, postage etc; Any other justifiable allowances. The Governing Body at Pyrford Church of England Primary School acknowledges that: Governors may not be paid attendance allowance; Governors may not be reimbursed for loss of earnings. Governors wishing to make claims under these arrangements, once prior approval has been sought, should complete a claims form (obtainable from the School Business Manager),

4 attaching receipts where possible, and return it to the school within two weeks of the date when the allowances were incurred, when they will be submitted for approval by the Chair of Governors or Chair of Efficiency to be presented to the Efficiency Committee for final approval. Claims will be subject to independent audit and may be investigated by the Chair of Governors (or Chair of Efficiency in respect of the Chair of Governors) if they appear excessive or inconsistent.

5 Governor Allowances Claim Form Name: Date: Address: Claim Period: I claim the total sum of for governor expenses as detailed below. I have attached relevant receipts to support my claim. Signed... Child care/babysitting expenses Care arrangements for an elderly or dependent relative Support for governors with special needs Support for governors whose first language is not English Travel to meetings/training courses Travel/subsistence to national meetings or training events Telephone Charges Postage Photocopying Stationery Other (please specify) TOTAL EXPENSES CLAIMED p p